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RANKED: 13 global cities where rent eats up most of your wages

LONDON - When it comes to renting in some of the world's leading cities, it can seem like the bulk of many people's salaries are spent on accommodation.

New research by British housebuilder Barratt Homes found that workers in some cities spend as much as 50% of their salary on rented accommodation.

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So what percentage of an average salary does it cost to rent homes in leading cities around the world? Barratt's research throws up some interesting findings.

Whereas New York is traditionally regarded as one of the world's most expensive cities, it is another north American city which tops the list in terms of unaffordability.

And despite recent reports of London's rental market easing up, it remains strikingly high on the list.

Take a look at the full list below, which ranks 13 major cities according to their unaffordability - calculated as the percentage of the average city wage which is required to rent an average one-bedroom apartment.

13. Toronto, Canada — Canada's most populous city is the least affordable in the country, although two north American cities fare worse in terms unaffordability.

Average rental price for 1-bed apartment: £732 pm

Average proportion of wage spent on rent: 30%

12. Milan, Italy — Rated as an "alpha" leading global city, Milan's business district hosts Italy's stock exchange and headquarters the country's major banks and companies. Rent is expensive by European standards, but still low compared to London.

Average rental price for 1-bed apartment: £627 pm

Average proportion of wage spent on rent: 30%

11. Barcelona, Spain — The city's urban area extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of around 4.7 million people, making it the sixth-most populous urban area in the European Union.

Average rental price for 1-bed apartment: £651 pm

Average proportion of wage spent on rent: 32%

10. Nice, France — The fifth-most populous city in France is relatively affordable, with the average one-bed apartment costing a third of the average wage.

Average rental price for 1-bed apartment: £681 pm

Average proportion of wage spent on rent: 33%

9. Geneva, Switzerland — Rents may seem eye-wateringly expensive in Geneva, but wages are correspondingly high in the city, which serves as a European hub of banking and finance.

8. Amsterdam, Holland —With a population of nearly 850,000 in the city, the Dutch capital is the most populous city in the country. It is one of the top financial centres in Europe, which means rents are high relative to most of the country.

5. New York City, USA — Rental apartments in New York are eye-wateringly expensive, although the USA city which tops the list fares worse in terms of both affordability and outright rental prices.

4. Tokyo, Japan — The capital of Japan is the seat of government and the Emperor of Japan. A huge portion of the country's jobs and wealth are concentrated there, meaning demand for often tiny apartments is incredibly high.

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A view of Shibuya Crossing, one of the busiest crosswalks in the world, Tokyo, Japan

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Sean Pavone

Average rental price for 1-bed apartment: £1,165 pm

Average proportion of wage spent on rent: 42%

3. Hong Kong — It ranks as the world's fourth most densely populated sovereign state, meaning that demand for housing is very high and prices are correspondingly expensive.

Average rental price for 1-bed apartment: £715 pm

Average proportion of wage spent on rent: 44%

2. London, United Kingdom — A one-bedroom apartment in London is costing renters almost half of their monthly salary, despite recent reports of a more favourable London rental market.

Getty / Matthew Lloyd

Average rental price for 1-bed apartment: £1,250 pm

Average proportion of wage spent on rent: 45%

1. San Francisco, USA — New York may traditionally be regarded as one of the most expensive cities in the United States, but it has recently been taken over by San Francisco, with the average percentage of rent for an apartment nearly 50% of the average wage.